January Tips and Upcoming Events from NE Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties

(402) 444-7804

January 2024

Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties

Staying Active this Winter!

Being physically active is important year-round, but the cold, Nebraska winter months can present challenges when it comes to staying active. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week for adults and at least 60 minutes per day for children and adolescents. Check out Nebraska Extension's "At Home Workouts" that you can do from the comfort of your living room here.

Healthy and Safe Meals Using a Slow Cooker

We live busy lives, and many of us frequent fast food and restaurants. More than 54 cents of every food dollar is spent on food away from home, which is typically higher in calories and fat and lower in calcium, fiber and iron. Planning meals ahead can improve health while saving time and money. Slow cookers use less electricity than an oven and can be used year-round. Because of the long, low-temperature cooking, slow cookers help tenderize less expensive cuts of meat. They usually allow for one-step preparation; putting all the ingredients in the slow cooker saves time and reduces cleanup. A variety of foods can be cooked in a slow cooker, including soups, stews, side dishes, meats, poultry, and desserts. Most recipes can be converted. Because liquids do not boil away in a slow cooker, you can usually reduce liquids by one-third to one-half. This reduction in liquid does not apply to soups. Pasta may become mushy if added too early, so it could be added at the end of the cooking process or cooked separately and added just before serving. Milk, cheese, and cream may be added one hour before serving. Read more tips about using slow cookers here.

Outstanding Partner Award Winner

Katie Krause, Early Childhood Educator and Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties have been named the 2023 Keep Omaha Beautiful Outstanding Partner Award. This partnership helps meet a need for area educators. Extension work to develop nature play spaces in Omaha provides more opportunities for local educators, further expanding the impacts that environmental education has for children.

The Outstanding Partner Award is presented to one group in appreciation of their partnership with Keep Omaha Beautiful. This award recognizes the vital role they play in contributing to a healthy urban ecosystem in Omaha. They have demonstrated that there is strength in combining resources and energy to fulfill the needs of Omaha residents and our urban environment.

Learn more about this award at https://www.keepomahabeautiful.org/kob-awards.html

Winter Care of Houseplants

Light

Unless you have a greenhouse or grow lights, keeping houseplants at their finest during the winter months can be a challenge. With sunlight intensity and duration at a low point, even the best window in the house can keep plant growth to a minimum. Give plants a quarter turn each time you water to keep plants from leaning and getting top heavy. Pinch off stems that have gotten leggy to keep plants looking good and place the cuttings in water for rooting. These can be potted to give away as gifts, or used to dress up outdoor containers in the spring.

Fertilization

With reduced growth during the winter months, a houseplant’s need for nutrients drops. Unless plants have supplemental grow lights, continuing to fertilize during the winter months risks the buildup of fertilizer salts in potting soil, reaching critical levels that can kill plants. For houseplants in the window, fertilization should take place March through October, when sunlight intensity and duration promotes plant growth and vigor.

Watering

The best way to water houseplants is from the top down, allowing excess water to drain into the catch dish below. Allow plants to remain in the excess water for about an hour before emptying the catch dish. The method of watering houseplants known as wicking, along with leaving drained water in catch dishes, deposits minerals and salts on soil surfaces as water evaporates. Water temperature plays a huge role in root activity, so make sure water is brought to room temperature before it is used. Never place ice cubes on the soil surface to water plants. Ice water is just above freezing and will injure the plant's roots.

Learn more from our experts here.

4-H Enrollment is Open

To enroll, click here.

Contact Mary Dierks at mdierks@sarpy.gov with any questions.

For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member.

Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member.

Please note the enrollment fee for Douglas-Sarpy counties is $10 per member and is paid online.

Upcoming Classes

Soup Class

When: January 17, 2024 from 6-7:30 PM

Where: Nebraska Extension Office,8015 W. Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124

Cost: $20

Registration Deadline - Jan. 12.

After registration form is filled out online, payment can be made by mailing a check (payable to University of Nebraska -Lincoln) to 8015 West Center Road, Omaha NE 68124 or pay via credit card by calling 402-444-7804

Mealtimes and Young Children - Online Training for Childcare Providers

When: January 18, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Where: online

Cost: free

Registration link: https://go.unl.edu/jan_mealtimes24

Join us to explore mealtimes with children. We will discuss the moving parts and best practices around eating, ways to curb picky eating, and support a healthy relationship with food. A healthy foundation around mealtime starts with the first feeding and can be a pleasant and enjoyable experience for all.

ProHort

When: Various Days in February and March 2024

Where: Nebraska Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124

Cost: $160 for entire course. This includes handouts. At this time there are not academic books related to the program.

Per session: $40 one-day session. $20 per half-day session (please indicate morning or afternoon).

Registration link: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/prohort-education-program/

ProHort Education is available to garden center employees, green industry professionals and anyone wanting to obtain in-depth information on landscaping, garden maintenance, and lawn care.

Learn more about horticulture and the 4-H programs by signing up for our Newsletters:

Monthly Horticulture Newsletter by emailing John Fech here.
Weekly 4-H Newsletter by emailing Rachel Wright here.

Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties

8015 West Center Road, Omaha

402-444-7804

go.unl.edu/douglassarpyext

Email us at douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

Our south office is located at 1102 E. 1st St., Papillion, NE 68046.

Call 402-444-7804 to schedule an appointment at our Papillion Office.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

Nebraska Extension education programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United State Department of Agriculture.